The Environmental Protection Agency looks determined to keep the public from knowing whether a pesticide on which it has waived safety rules may be a factor in the worldwide bee die-off known as "colony collapse disorder."

Emerging evidence suggests another nemesis should be on the priority list of agricultural production threats - a significant decline in the animals that pollinate crops (bees, insects, birds, bats, etc.).

New language added to the 2007/08 Farm Bill by conferees at the 11th hour could create a sweeping new secrecy mandate that would prohibit the Agriculture Department from disclosing almost any information about individual US farm operations.